thing I like: Dorot frozen garlic and herbs

I have to admit something to you, I only found these because I was attracted to the packaging which is just so European-y. I was walking down the frozen foods aisle at Trader Joe’s trying to avoid looking all the delicious cookies straight in the eye and these bright red trays just screamed, “We are imported! Come fondle our clever packaging!” But I’m glad I found them because I love this stuff. These are small frozen cubes of minced garlic or herbs which you pop out of their tray like ice cubes. So darn easy. You might not think that mincing some garlic is all that much work but my lazy self only sees a cutting board, knife and garlic press that I’ll have to wash later and on a weeknight I’d rather not. I’ll still prep fresh garlic for our slower paced weekend meals but for now I love my frozen stash. I found these at Trader Joes and, ooh, according to Dorot’s website they also have ginger, cilantro, dill and chili.

I’m in the uk too, and bought a fresh stock only yesterday! I read somewhere else that once you’ve finished with the bought contents, you can use them to freeze grated orange/lemon zest in – each cube holds about a teaspoon, which is ideal. Haven’t tried it yet…. And won’t be trying it with an empty garlic container!!

I love these, too, but I have to admit that one of the reasons is that, once empty, the little dimpled recesses in the package make it a fabulous small take-along palette for watercolors–you can even snap the lid back on to keep the paints wet longer.

I love these! I discovered them a while back at Trader Joe’s and the basil is my favorite – especially since finding fresh basil in the middle of winter on the east cost is difficult. And I’ll admit, I do love popping them out of the little container. So satisfying. And I’m also loving the suggestions on how to reuse the container – I’ll definitely be washing it out for reuse next time.

I love them too. especially in the winter when basil is too expensive to buy fresh (and i was also initially attracted to the the packaging). I make a lot of spinach pesto to get some veggies into my kiddo. a few squares of basil love makes it perfect.

Do they have additives? I have seen the minced herbs in a squeeze tube (and bought some and had near instant buyers remorse), but it had xanthan gum and a ton of sodium which wasn’t ideal for the project I had in mind.

I love these-always have them in the freezer. There are a few other varieties that TJ’s does not carry, too, and you can find them at Israeli or Middle Eastern markets some times. I live in Woodland Hills, CA, and Super Sal in Encino has them, I think. The varieties I have seen are Garlic, Basil, Parsley, Cilantro (all at TJ’s), and those + Dill & Ginger at Super Sal.

Thank you! I haven’t heard of these before, but will look for them next time I’m at Trader Joe’s. My garlic and ginger always seem to go bad, and I cook for one so often have leftover fresh herbs that go to waste.

I’ve been eying up the cilantro at Trader Joe’s for months, but am concerned about how to use it! I always throw fresh cilantro into my homemade mexican dishes, rice and salsa… Would minced cilantro be as tasty? (I know I should just dive in and report back, I just hate the feeling of failed dinner!)

Love these, especially when I forget to buy an herb (which I do often) or unexpectantly run out. The basil isn’t quite as good as the leaf but it’s better than nothing.
I like the idea of using the separated squares for watercolors.

It’s silly to buy minced garlic – its absurdly expensive, especially considering how easy it is to make at home. Food processor + a little bit olive oil. Peel a whole head (or more!), whizz them around and then jar. You can even dollop them out in teaspoons on waxpaper and then freeze them. Once they’re frozen pop them in a freezer bag and then you have pre-portioned frozen herbs. A head of garlic is max, 50 cents it wouldn’t take your more than 5 minutes to make little freezer dollops, less to just stick it in the fridge. Then your foodprocessor goes into the dishwasher, so almost no cleaning.

Ooh, they look so great! I was thinking I wouldn’t have a chance at finding them, though, since I don’t think you are near me, so I was happy when you said you got them at TJs, and thrilled to know that someone else here in New England has seen them at Stop ‘N’ Shop. They will definitely be going on the grocery list!

Also: I know it has been almost a year, but I lovelovelove your leprechaun trap cake and have forwarded it to many people in the last year. Love your ideas AND execution…

Since the economics of buying these has been brought up a few times I just wanted to pipe up and explain my own views on the cost/benefit of frozen herbs, knowing of course that for other people it will weight out differently. Due to busy schedules and creative projects that keep us from cooking weeknight dinners more often than not I actually find buying frozen herbs far cheaper and environmentally friendly than purchasing fresh herbs. Using a little bit of basil or ginger for a recipe and then following our bi-weekly ritual of tossing dessicated and/or moldy items isn’t adding up . And before you say it, let me point to my very feared black thumb by way of explaining that I have given up on growing my own fresh. Believe me, I’ve tried. If I cannot keep a rosemary bush alive abandon all hope ye who enter here, etc. If I could buy 6 basil leaves, or an inch of ginger, or three garlic cloves at a time I totally would.

If I may, these are brilliant. Been using these for years as fallback. Forgot to buy garlic? No problem. Need cilantro or basil in winter? There you go. Could we do the same from scratch? Um, sure…but that’s not the point. No, it’s not ideal, but it is unbelievably helpful in a pinch. For those w/o Trader Joe’s, I am sorry on many levels.

The one caveat for this product is that if you don’t use it up quickly, the smell can defuse to elsewhere in your freezer. I’ve had several frozen ice masks that I keep for migraines end up garlic scented because there was a packet of Dorots in the freezer with them.

Megan – I completely agree with your rationale. I also absolutely hate peeling garlic (yes, I smash it first) and cleaning out my garlic press. I want to get supper on the table fast and eliminating one more step in worth it for me.

Nella – Thanks for the info for us readers. I too have heard about the botulism years ago and have avoided refrigerator garlic prepartations for that reason, I’m paranoid that way.

I *strongly* recommend that before lauding a product you discuss its origins. This is an import from Israel, and by purchasing and advertising its use you are undermining the Boycott and Divestment Sanctions movement. Even if you do support the obscene amount of US money that is funding Israel’s arms program (and the occupation of Palestine and the growing threat of nuclear war against Iran), you should be improving consumer knowledge, not obscuring.

Additionally, freezing small amounts of basil, garlic, and other herbs in ice-cube trays is a very simple, economical, and socially/environmentally responsible alternative.

I thought this was humus for some reason when I first saw the package. But I would definitely prefer this to chopping garlic. I shop at WholeFoods a lot so I’ll be looking out for this during my next visit :3.

I use way too much garlic for something like this to be practical, but the ginger version (different country, different brand) has increased my ginger intake 1000%. No more grating my fingers to the bone!

Thanks for posting this! I see these all the time at Trader Joe’s (also attracted to the packaging) but I never pick them up. These would be great for lazy weekday meals. I know exactly what you mean about dishes you have to wash later – every meal I make after work is like a game to figure out how few dishes I can make dirty so this is perfect!
Michelle
neonrattail.blogspot.com

Jess – I used the Dorot cilantro in a kale salad that called for fresh cilantro just last night and it worked great. It had that fresh green smell and didn’t have any off flavors that I could detect — however the salad had a dressing of olive oil, lemon juice and cayenne pepper so it might have been hard to detect. I think that one thing might be that the thawed cilantro doesn’t have the same bright color and, obviously, won’t sprinkle over the top of a dish. :D

Love these and use them all the time. My grocery also has a store brand of finely chopped spinach that comes in little pellets. So easy to throw into eggs, sauces, or wherever I want to sneak in my veggies for the day.

I wanted to share a tip that I recently saw on Rachel Ray’s show. She suggested peeling your ginger and putting in a ziploc bag in the freezer. When you need some just pull it out and grate it while it’s still frozen. It makes it easier to grate and prevents waste by keeping the ginger useful for a long time. I’m not usually a RR fan but I’ve been loving this tip.

[…] Frozen Herbs in Cubes: Trader Joe’s sells frozen herbs and garlic in little cubes. I looked for them last time I was at TJ, but I haven’t found them yet. Sounds like a wonderful idea for those of us who can’t use herbs fast enough to justify buying them fresh. Share this:TwitterFacebookMorePinterestLinkedInTumblrRedditStumbleUponDiggEmailPrintLike this:LikeBe the first to like this. […]

Hi I’m in the UK and came across Dorot frozen herbs which I now love. Have had the garlic, ginger and chilli varieties so. So very useful to have in the freezer. However I am frustrated at how hit and miss it is to find them. Sometimes Tesco have them, sometimes they dont. Usually I can only find one variety and have never seen the basil anywhere. Please does anybody know of a place I can buy these on a more reliable basis? Am happy to shop on line for them if anybody knows of anywhere

Vanda – I’m afraid I’m unable to advise you, perhaps write to Dorot on Facebook and ask where you might find it? They also have a “find our products” link at the top of their website but for me it defaults to the US – I’m not sure if you would get a different page when you are located in the UK.

I love these things, but try to buy them in bulk only when they’re on sale. I’m thinking of making my own with garlic, as it does start to add up (especially since there are very few recipes I make that don’t have garlic in them and it’s cheaper to do my own). I personally find the ginger, cilantro, and parsley very useful too. I have the chili, but haven’t used it yet. Especially with two kids (toddler and infant) it saves time to have these on hand.

I used to buy these little frozen garlic cubes in Montreal (I think they were labelled “Top-it”) but I’ve not seen them since moving to Edmonton, Alberta. I’d love to know where to buy them here. They’re wonderful!!!!

[…] Frozen Herbs in Cubes: Trader Joe’s sells frozen herbs and garlic in little cubes. I looked for them last time I was at TJ, but I haven’t found them yet. Sounds like a wonderful idea for those of us who can’t use herbs fast enough to justify buying them fresh. […]

I live in Los Angeles and have only been able to find the crushed garlic and chopped basil Dorot products. Trader Joe’s told me today that the cilantro is discontinued (I’m never sure if that means the manufacturer no longer makes it or if their distributor no longer carries it). I emailed the company through their website, but the email bounced back as undeliverable. Any thoughts? Love this product.